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INTERACTIONS OF LARGE BENTHOPELAGIC MESOPREDATORS WITH SHELLFISH ENHANCEMENT ACTIVITIES IN FLORIDA COASTAL WATERS
- Date Issued:
- 2021
- Abstract/Description:
- Shellfish aquaculture “grow-out” sites for Northern Quahog (Mercenaria mercenaria) clams have substantially higher densities than the surrounding ambient environment and thus can attract local molluscivores to these areas. I used acoustic telemetry to examine potential interactions of two highly mobile ray species (cownose ray, whitespotted eagle ray) with two clam grow-out sites in the Indian River Lagoon near Sebastian, FL, where clammers have reported damaged grow-out gear. Visitation patterns of telemetered rays to these sites were compared to other reference sites in the region and modeled using local environmental data. While both species spent greater time elsewhere, I found many instances in which rays remained within range of clam grow-out sites for extended periods (>60 minutes). Mesocosm experiments with whitespotted eagle rays confirmed they were capable of interacting with and damaging clams housed within antipredator materials, although mortality was significantly reduced compared to controls and in particular by multi-layer netting.
Title: | INTERACTIONS OF LARGE BENTHOPELAGIC MESOPREDATORS WITH SHELLFISH ENHANCEMENT ACTIVITIES IN FLORIDA COASTAL WATERS. |
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Name(s): |
Cahill, Brianna Violet, author Ajemian, Matthew, Thesis advisor Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor Department of Marine Science and Oceanography Charles E. Schmidt College of Science |
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Type of Resource: | text | |
Genre: | Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation | |
Date Created: | 2021 | |
Date Issued: | 2021 | |
Publisher: | Florida Atlantic University | |
Place of Publication: | Boca Raton, Fla. | |
Physical Form: | application/pdf | |
Extent: | 122 p. | |
Language(s): | English | |
Abstract/Description: | Shellfish aquaculture “grow-out” sites for Northern Quahog (Mercenaria mercenaria) clams have substantially higher densities than the surrounding ambient environment and thus can attract local molluscivores to these areas. I used acoustic telemetry to examine potential interactions of two highly mobile ray species (cownose ray, whitespotted eagle ray) with two clam grow-out sites in the Indian River Lagoon near Sebastian, FL, where clammers have reported damaged grow-out gear. Visitation patterns of telemetered rays to these sites were compared to other reference sites in the region and modeled using local environmental data. While both species spent greater time elsewhere, I found many instances in which rays remained within range of clam grow-out sites for extended periods (>60 minutes). Mesocosm experiments with whitespotted eagle rays confirmed they were capable of interacting with and damaging clams housed within antipredator materials, although mortality was significantly reduced compared to controls and in particular by multi-layer netting. | |
Identifier: | FA00013840 (IID) | |
Degree granted: | Thesis (MS)--Florida Atlantic University, 2021. | |
Collection: | FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection | |
Note(s): | Includes bibliography. | |
Subject(s): |
Shellfish fisheries--Florida Northern quahog Predators Biotelemetry |
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Persistent Link to This Record: | http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013840 | |
Use and Reproduction: | Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder. | |
Use and Reproduction: | http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ | |
Host Institution: | FAU | |
Is Part of Series: | Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections. |